In This Issue: Evan Bayh ...... 1 Candidates 06 . . . . .4 This Candidate Doesn't A Candidate’s Diary Candidate Diary . . .1 Pets vs. Issues . . . .5 Lake County Clerk candidate Sharon Choice ...... 2 Kirk and Religion . .6 Wear Prada Narrod is making her first run for public Bill of Health . . . . .2 Fair and Balanced .8 by Sharon Narrod office. Between now and election day she will give us a regular account of what it’s If you divide the number of parades by the number of like to be a candidate. This is Part 4 in For information or to volunteer call: carnivals and multiply that by the pounds of popcorn and that series of articles. 847.266.VOTE (8683) cotton candy, what do you get? Summer in Lake County! Or write to: That of course does not include the antique car shows, Lauren Beth Gash, Chair, Tenth Dems rodeos, art fairs and craft expositions. The last several PO Box 523, Deerfield, IL 60015 Visit the website: www.tenthdems.org weeks have been a haze of shaking hands, handing out my Newsletter: [email protected] “giveaways,” trying to find time to eat, and driving home with thoughts of non-sweaty clothing and air conditioning Editors John Hmurovic, Paul Kelly dancing in my head. Editorial Staff Lauren Beth Gash, Leslie At this point, I can’t imagine why anyone would take a Lipschultz, Harriet S. Meyer, Gregory Mysko, Ross Nickow, Mark Paul, Danny vacation outside of Lake County in the summertime. There Solarz, Ron Weiner is so much to do and so little time to do it. What is it I like Design Carol Jones best? That would be hard to say. Parades are terrific, when it’s not too warm and it isn’t raining. Web Distribution Glenn Stier th As I was walking the Waukegan parade, I chatted with a The opinions expressed10 are those parade-goer about how awful my hair must have looked. U.S. Senator Richard Durbin joins Sharon of the writers, and not necessarily Narrod on the campaign trail. endorsed by Tenth Dems Continued on page 3 www.tenthdems.org

AUGUSTT 2006enth Illinois Tenth Congressional District News Democrats Newsletter Volume 3, Edition 8 By the Bayh, Tenth Dems Event Draws About 150 by Danny Solarz Evan Bayh, U.S. Senator and potential presidential candidate, keynoted the third annual fundraiser for the Tenth Congressional District Democrats on June 30. Hosted by Councilman Jim Kirsch and his wife Heidi, of Highland Park, the event drew about 150 attendees who heard Bayh discuss the current state of the United States, and his specific plans to get America back on the right track. The presidential prospect said he believes that State Rep. Karen May (left) energy independence can help transform and candidate Dan Seals America. Besides the obvious benefits of freeing (right) were among the crowd at the Tenth Dems fundraiser. Anne ourselves from foreign oil, energy independence Wedner (above, on left) receives Tenth Dems Volunteer of the Year would create numerous jobs in industries that award from Karen McCormick, as U.S. Sen. Evan Bayh looks on. deal with alternative energy sources. Bayh has some expertise with job creation. About 375,000 jobs were created Administrative Chair John Hmurovic said. in Indiana during his eight-year tenure as Governor. “We do that by reaching out to the volunteers, trying to get more people The event was attended by several of the area's top Democrats, involved in the process.” including state Senator Terry Link, state Representative Karen May, Lake County Board Members Carol Spielman and Anne Bassi, Dan Seals, the Democratic nominee for several Highland Park City Council members, state Representative Congress, spoke to the attendees and stressed the importance of candidate Amanda Howland, and Lake County Clerk candidate volunteerism, donations and the grassroots campaign. Sharon Narrod. The money raised will help all Democrats in the area. “Having volunteers matters,” Seals said. “Volunteers are the “The money is used to elect competent and qualified Democrats to lifeblood of any democratic organization.” every level of office in every part of the 10th District,” Tenth Dems Continued on page 3 Kirk: A Bad Choice on Choice Women’s Bill of by Harriet S. Meyer Mark Kirk looked me in the eye and said, “I Women’s health groups are urging Congress am pro-choice.” It was in May 2004, and he to cosponsor important new legislation. But, Health Rights was speaking with three of us constituents unlike dozens of Kirk’s colleagues, as of this in his Deerfield office. He seemed sincere. writing he is not yet co-sponsoring the “I have the right to health.” He even has 100 percent ratings from Equity in Prescription Insurance Planned Parenthood and NARAL Pro-Choice Contraceptive Coverage Act, the Freedom of I have the right to be trusted. America (because of select “key votes”). Choice Act (the legislative equivalent to Roe In El Salvador, because of medical v. Wade), several sex education acts, the symptoms like those of miscarriage, But during Republican Kirk’s three terms in women are reported by their doctors Congress, women’s health rights have been Plan B for Plan B Act (to make emergency contraception available), the Prevention to the police and are investigated by seriously infringed (see also Women’s Bill of “forensic vagina inspectors” and the Health sidebar). Getting a safe, legal First Act, the Quality of Life for Women Act, or the Stop Deceptive Advertising for prosecutor’s office. Mothers of young abortion is prohibitively difficult. Women children are imprisoned. can’t get contraceptive prescriptions filled Women’s Services Act. without being second-guessed and Kirk belongs to 40 House caucuses, I have the right to respectful and humiliated. Violence at clinics and doctors’ including the Boating Caucus, but not the empathetic treatment and support offices continues. President Bush directs a Bipartisan Pro-Choice Caucus or the from my caregiver. government agency to lie about abortion Congressional Caucus for Women’s Issues. In some states, like Virginia, doctors and STDs. can – and do – refuse to provide Kirk sits on the Appropriations Committee, emergency contraception – without Yes, Kirk voted the right way on key votes – where he has the opportunity to cut funding even telling their patients why or against the Partial Birth Abortion Act, the for abstinence-only sex education. Instead, where they may obtain it. Abortion Non-Discrimination Act, the Child taxpayers are spending more than $200 Interstate Abortion Notification Act, the million a year on these Bush-mandated I have the right to safe, effective, Unborn Victims of Violence Act, and the programs. Studies have shown that these appropriate treatment. Child Custody Protection Act – but they all sexist, misleading and unproven programs Because of so-called “partial-birth passed anyway! may increase early sexual activity and abortion” bans and lack of physician sexually transmitted disease rates, and training, women who experience What’s more, he even voted to bring the first miscarriages or fetal demise may be three of those terrible bills to the floor of the decrease young people’s use of condoms or other contraceptives. denied a safer procedure, such as House (procedural votes). Why? So he dilatation and evacuation. could then vote against them to get his 100 Kirk turned over money that 10th District Complications of late pregnancy, percent rating? So he could help Tom DeLay residents donated to his campaigns to such as incomplete or septic and cronies milk a political wedge issue for support anti-choice Congressmen Kevin miscarriages, are dangerous without all it’s worth? Brady and Pete Sessions of Texas and timely treatment. Bans of this vague Kirk could have voted to make these bills Ernest Istook of Oklahoma – each of whom entity prohibit medical procedures less harsh. He could have voted received a zero percent rating during pregnancy as early as 13 against turning adult siblings, from NARAL Pro-Choice weeks. America. grandparents and clergy who try to I have the right to preventive care. help pregnant girls into criminals And, if Mark Kirk is speaking The Bush administration spends more (against the motion to recommit the out about women’s than $200 million per year on Child Custody Protection Act with reproductive freedoms, I abstinence-only sex education, instructions). He could have voted haven’t heard him. which, studies show, leads to teens for providing “all medically Inconsistent votes, bad votes, having earlier sex and more appropriate information [and] bad donations, no leadership, infections. services” in the Abortion Non- and a Republican Congress Discrimination Act. He could have It’s been two and a half years since that has sent women’s rights the FDA’s expert panel recommended voted for adding language to the down the tubesl, make that over-the-counter emergency oral Partial-Birth Abortion Act to protect Republican Mark Kirk a bad contraception be approved – but the the health of the mother (against the choice on choice. We need a FDA still won’t approve it, even motion to recommit) – but he didn’t! Democratic House and Dan though it would prevent hundreds of In May, the U.S. Supreme Court, by Seals – a candidate who will thousands of abortions each year. declining to hear an appeal, upheld stand up for choice – to The religious Right and the Bush a ruling requiring anti-abortion preserve the health rights that administration threatened to block extremists to pay damages to the majority of 10th District approval of a vaccine against human providers whom they have harmed. voters and Americans support. papillomavirus (HPV), which could But Kirk has helped those Tenth Dems has produced a brochure which shows how prevent thousands of deaths from extremists: He voted twice for women's rights to quality reproductive health care have cervical cancer annually, as well as bankruptcy bills that let them skip been severly eroded during the Bush years, and how infertility and prematurity, which may paying damages by filing for Mark Kirk has refused to use his power as Assistant be side effects of treatment of bankruptcy – and that’s exactly House Majority Whip to fight against the erosion. cervical cancer. what some have done. Continued on page 5 2 Tenth Dems Thanks Host Bayh in Highland Park continued from page 1 Committee Seals also addressed a sentiment deeply felt by the audience. “There’s a Tenth Dems would like to thank the host committee for our huge disconnect between what people are fighting and worried about here, recent fundraiser with Indiana Senator Evan Bayh. and what you see in Washington,” Seals said. “The President isn’t just incompetent; he’s dangerous. We [Democrats] need to win back the Senate Special thanks, of course, go to the hosts Jim and Heidi Kirsch. and, I quite selfishly say, win back the House.” The contributions made by all will go a long way toward Tenth Dems Chair Lauren Beth Gash presented the Volunteers of the Year helping the Democratic Party’s candidates throughout the 10th District this November. This is the list as of press time, with awards to George Rosenblit, a researcher and writer who “gets things more donations expected to be coming in. done,” and Anne Wedner, who chaired the candidate search committee that initially interviewed Seals and who has worked on a number of other Tenth GOLD LEVEL Dems projects. Stephanie & Tom Anderson-Formolo Joan & Julian Berman Bayh, however, was the main Nancie Blatt attraction. A former secretary of George Rosenblit state, governor and a current Gregg Steinberg senator from Indiana, Bayh is a Jim & Wendy Terman Democrat who has won by large Anne Wedner majorities in a state in which Mary Stowell seven out of the nine SILVER LEVEL congressional seats are held by Sidney Robbins Republicans, both chambers of Trude & James Roselle the state Legislature are Dottie Palombo controlled by Republicans, and 60 New Trier Democratic Organization percent of the state’s citizens voted for President Bush in the BRONZE LEVEL Event hosts Jim and Heidi Kirsch with 2004 election. David Borris Ellen Beth Gill Keevan Morgan Senator Bayh David & Mari Carol & David Golder Rick & Lea Murray Bayh outlined his plan for a Campbell John Hmurovic Sharon Narrod country that “Seventy percent of Americans believe is off track.” He called David Creason Carol Jones Hon. Elaine Nekritz America “the light of opportunity,” but said “we are very much at risk. We Christine & Chris Gerri Kahnweiler Ross Nickow need to act carefully and swiftly.” Donnelly Mark Kraemer Mary Reynolds Abbie & Jack Bayh’s outline included the importance of national security, his belief in Hon. Terry Link Mary Ritter fiscal responsibility, the significance of democratic values as the right Fassnacht Marcy Maller Kathy & David Robin Kimberly & Michael Karen McCormick Hon. Kathy Ryg values, and his desire to follow these values. Feld Edward & Marilyn Sharon Sanders Jim Gagne “We need to find the common space that Americans have found in times of Melia Isadora Sherman Hon. Susan Garrett crises,” Bayh said. “We need to address the challenges they feel in their Sara Mesirow Glenn Stier daily lives. We arrived on these shores in different ships, but we are all in Hon. Lauren Beth Harriet Meyer Gash Suzanne & Robert Mitch Miller Wieseneck the same boat now. We need to be a united people: 50 red, white, and blue states. We have what it takes to move this country forward.”

Sharon Narrod, Continued from page 1 her election. In the interest of full disclosure, it’s been sort of fun There is no such thing as a good hair day when the humidity is 100 justifying my shopping by saying I need it for the campaign, but it’s percent and it’s drizzling. This is something that male candidates do really not something that is part of my nature. I am a great not have to worry about. proponent of comfort at all costs. Next in line would be carnivals. It really gives me a tremendous During these dog days of summer, I have given up and gone the way sense of well being to see large groups of people out enjoying of no stockings, wearing sandals and blue jean skirts. My reasoning themselves just by watching their kids, eating an ear of corn or leads me to believe that most people will appreciate my good sense having a cold beer on a very warm night. This really is America, but and overlook my ponytail. At times I may not look very candidate- moreover, it is human nature at its most basic. For just a little while like, but I was a person long before I was a candidate. there are no worries, just the pleasure of being. I had a conversation There are less than 100 days to go. Saw some old friends who didn’t with a group of total strangers and we all agreed that it’s moments realize I was running for office. That made my blood run cold. If I like these that define contentment. Too many hours are wasted had an unlimited campaign account I would run ads in every waiting for the ultimate experience. These lovely, lazy summer newspaper telling people that I was a candidate…forget what I nights, with nothing terrible happening, are the ultimate experience. propose to bring to the office. I wake up during the night and think Another observation: Men, as a rule, have a campaign “uniform.” If about the fundraising calls I need to make. It’s always money. That’s it’s formal, wear a suit; if it’s not, a sports jacket with no tie fit the what moves a campaign. As I’ve said before, county races don’t bill. And if it’s extremely informal, slacks and a short-sleeve shirt bring in much money. So, it’s out in the morning, walk around a (nothing too loud) are very appropriate. But women candidates need community fair, shake hands, move to the next one, attend a coffee the hair, makeup and clothing – never duplicated – for every in the evening, move on to a Democratic-sponsored event, go home, occasion. sleep, and start all over again. If they had a Candidate Barbie, parents would go broke trying to In truth, I’ve never done anything like this before and other than the outfit her. I think the only Barbie they had like this had already won high heels, I’m enjoying every minute of it. 3 Every month up to the November 2006 Democratic election, we will take a look at some of the Democrats on the Candidate Profiles ballot in 2006. Alexi Giannoulias Michael David Orr Treasurer County Clerk Residence: Chicago MacDonald Residence: Chicago District: Illinois State Representative District: Cook County Alexi Giannoulias is a District 53 community banker. As Residence: Buffalo As Cook County Clerk, vice president and David Orr serves as the senior loan officer at Grove District: Arlington chief election authority Broadway Bank, Alexi in the third largest was a vital part of the Heights, Buffalo Grove, Mount election jurisdiction in bank’s management the country, and has team that doubled the Prospect, Prospect Heights and Wheeling found innovative ways to financial institution’s asset size in recent reform how government works and to make years. Crain’s Chicago Business has rated it Mike MacDonald is a 49-year-old retired his office run more efficiently. A progressive the No. 1 bank in Illinois for the past four voice in Chicago politics for 27 years, Orr led years based on return of assets. In addition, engineer seeking his first public office. He has worked in both the industrial and the fight to implement the motor voter law in Broadway Bank’s loan losses are Illinois, which has made it easier and more consistently well below industry averages. service sectors of the economy. Mike's career has given him business experience in convenient for people to sign up to vote. Alexi’s experience in asset liability Since taking office in 1991, Orr has returned management – handling the bank’s deposits, 17 different foreign countries. He seeks to bring his life experiences and problem $24 million in unspent budget appropriations purchasing bonds on behalf of the bank and to the county. Orr has also played pivotal managing its fixed assets – provides the solving abilities to the state representative’s office. He believes that education and a roles in helping to shape federal and state necessary financial skills to take an active election reforms. role in running the treasurer’s office. world-class infrastructure are the keys to job creation and economic opportunity. His scientific and business backgrounds have prepared him for successfully dealing with Jesse White Dan Hynes budget issues, energy regulation, the Secretary of State Comptroller environment and the global marketplace. Residence: Chicago Residence: Chicago District: Illinois District: Illinois Jesse White brought Daniel Hynes is serving integrity and innovation his second term as Terrence O’Brien to the Illinois Secretary State Comptroller. As Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of State's office. During the state’s chief fiscal his first term, he created officer, Hynes has Commissioner Residence: Chicago a strong, independent become the state’s Inspector General’s District: Cook County leading voice for fiscal office, managed the responsibility. He has largest distribution of new Illinois license focused on consumer and taxpayer Terrence O'Brien has plates in the state's history, successfully advocacy, government accountability and spent the last 27 years fought for tougher DUI laws, reformed the long-term budget reform. Hynes’ efforts to in the environmental state's Commercial Driver's License secure state funding for stem cell research field. That includes program and created the office's first online culminated in the creation of the Illinois nearly 18 as a Water Reclamation District services. The Illinois Secretary of State's Regenerative Medicine Institute in 2005. commissioner, the last nine as its president. office is the largest and most diverse office Hynes also proposed a legislative package O'Brien has been able to improve the of its kind in the nation, providing more of reforms that attacked “pay to play” operation of the District at the least cost to direct services to the people of Illinois than politics by dramatically reducing the ability taxpayers. The District is one of the few any other public agency. of campaign contributors to get state governmental agencies in Illinois to have an contracts. His bill protecting Illinois workers AAA bond rating. O'Brien is interested in from punitive new federal overtime rules has preventing pollution in Lake Michigan and also become law. other area waterways. He has led the effort to complete the deep tunnel system which has already captured over 800 billion gallons of sewer overflow that otherwise would have polluted the area waterways. 4 Seals Calls for Leadership—Kirk Focuses on Protecting Pets by John Hmurovic We now know that Mark Kirk believes in protecting Kirk has a history of avoiding tough issues; anything pets. We still don’t know how he stands on that might lose him some votes. He has, for example, protecting Social Security. refused frequent efforts by groups opposed to the Congressman Kirk held a news conference recently, American occupation of Iraq to discuss his support for to announce his support for legislation regarding our continued involvement. He has refused to meet pet protection. By contrast, over a year ago, ever with groups opposed to the cuts that he backed in since President Bush suggested that our current funding for social service programs. Kirk has been Social Security system be significantly changed and actively campaigning on his “Suburban Agenda,” a partially privatized, Kirk has not held one public series of mostly non-controversial proposals that he hearing nor clearly stated his position on one of the most important introduced after taking a poll to find out what voters respond to. issues facing our country. While Kirk focuses on the easy issues, Seals says that’s not the kind “My opponent is spending the day tackling the easy stuff - who of leader we need in today’s world. “We need a leader who will face doesn't want to protect our pets?” asked Dan Seals, the Democratic up to the crisis in Iraq.” Seals says. “We need a leader who will nominee for Congress in the 10th District. "This is another small- face the fact that we have four million more Americans below the bore issue that everyone agrees with. Kirk would like to distract us poverty line since 2001. We need a leader who is committed to from his votes with the Bush Administration and the other Bush lowering prices at the gas pump. We need a leader who will face Republicans - votes that fail to address the significant problems the fact that our federal deficit is approaching $9 trillion." Seals facing ordinary Americans," Seals said. "Given all of the challenges continued, "This is a question of priorities - not whether or not we that our nation faces, I have trouble understanding why a member of love our pets and want to care for them. Where are Mark Kirk's the congressional leadership would focus on this issue right now." priorities?"

continued from page 2 I have the right to the privacy of my Women’s Bill of Health Rights medical records. dilation and extraction. Of the 40,000 Treatment for an obstetric complication obstetricians in the United States, few is part of the woman’s private medical can perform abortions, and residencies record under HIPAA, but public officials are not providing proper training. have repeatedly subpoenaed women’s I have the right to timely treatment. medical records. In June an Ohio judge A woman with an obstetric complication ruled in a lawsuit that a Planned may be sent away from her doctor’s Parenthood clinic must release all girls’ office to the emergency department and abortion records. back again owing to lack of trained My caregiver has the right to provide caregivers or unwillingness to provide health care without harassment, care. violence, or loss of professional Prompt treatment of ectopic pregnancy standing. can preserve a woman’s future fertility Arsons and bomb threats at women’s I have the right to accurate, objective, and save her life. But in El Salvador, health clinics – even those that do not and complete information from my where the mother’s life comes last, provide abortion – continue nationwide. caregiver about my treatment options. ectopic (tubal) pregnancy is not treated Thirty-one states require doctors to give until there is a rupture or until the I have the right to complete, accurate a woman seeking an abortion embryo or fetus is thought to be no and truthful information from my sensationalized, biased information – longer viable. Will new U.S. laws that government. then they send her away for a day or give the embryo and fetus separate The Bush administration forced the more before she can have the status lead to a similar situation here? Centers for Disease Control and procedure. Prevention (CDC) to delete I have the right to treatment within a informationfrom its Web site on the The Federal Refusal Clause and state reasonable geographic distance. safety of abortion and the value of gag rules mean that doctors and Women may have to travel hundreds of condoms in preventing sexually hospitals need not or cannot let a miles for proper procedures. transmitted diseases. woman know when abortion is an option – even though a woman with a condition I have the right to prescribed medication. In May, a panel at a CDC-sponsored like heart disease or lupus may need an Pharmacists are refusing to fill conference on preventing STDs was abortion to save her life. prescriptions for oral contraceptives, stacked with abstinence-only abortion-related antibiotics, and even advocates. If my caregiver is unable to provide pregnancy vitamins if prescribed by a optimal treatment, I have the right to women’s health clinic that they think My government should protect me from receive proper referral. provides abortions. false and harmful medical claims. Gag rules prevent referrals. Thousands of “crisis pregnancy Pharmacists are lecturing women and centers” with unlicensed, I have the right to physicians trained in refusing to fill their prescriptions for unprofessional staff use deceptive optimal procedures. emergency contraceptives. This even advertising, pregnancy tests, and Nonviable pregnancies, ectopic (tubal) happened to a woman needing ultrasounds to delay or deny women pregnancies, and hydatidiform moles treatment after her fetus died in utero. abortions – but, instead of being are obstetric conditions that require As detailed in a recent New York Times regulated, receive $60 million in federal abortion procedures. Yet, many, if not article (“Contra-Contraception”), the grants. most, obstetric trainees no longer are Religious Right is systematically trying trained in dilation and evacuation or to deny women contraceptives. 5 Kirk Votes (Again) to Promote One Religion Over Another by John Hmurovic Mark Kirk has voted again to chip away the beliefs of our Founding Fathers that the government has no right to promote one religion over others. Twice in July, he voted exactly as the radical religious right-wing of the Republican Party wanted him to vote. Why Won’t Kirk Repudiate First, Kirk voted to strip federal judges of the right to rule on cases involving the Pledge of Allegiance. The religious right pushed for this GOP Religious Intolerance? legislation in order to make sure that no federal judge could even by Mark Paul consider a case that involved a challenge to the use of the words By his silence, is Mark Kirk condoning anti-Semitism? “under God” in the Pledge. Kirk’s vote is troubling for another reason: It weakens the balance of power in our federal government. It attempts At the Texas Republican Party’s 2004 convention, a plank in its to take away the right of the Court to rule on a Congressional decision. platform declared that the U.S. is a “Christian nation” and pledged the party to “dispel the myth of the separation of Church “If we strip federal courts of their judicial independence,” and State.” Congressman Dennis Cardozo (D-California) said on the House floor, “nothing stops Congress from preventing courts to rule on other Is it necessary to conjure the uproar that would follow a platform freedoms protected in our Bill of Rights, including freedom of speech, that declares the U.S. to be a “White Nation” or a “WASP the right to bear arms, freedom of worship and freedom to assemble. Is Nation?” This is the state that’s home to the president, and has that really the precedent we want to establish?” the largest Republican delegation in Congress, one of whom was Mark Kirk’s leader in the House, until distracted by multiple felony The second vote Kirk cast was to take away the power of a state court indictments which told the city of San Diego that it had to take down a huge cross that stands on public property. Again, the religious right pushed for The platform language is alarming, even to a non-observant Jew passage of this bill which allows public land to be used to promote one who doesn’t belong to any Jewish organizations. So I sent e- religion over another. Kirk voted to support the legislation, ignoring the mails to the American Jewish Committee’s offices in Houston and fact that this is a nation of many religions…not just a land of Christians. Dallas, as well as its Washington headquarters. The AJC is hardly a left-wing group; it subsidizes printing press access for Norman Congressman Gary Ackerman (D-New York) criticized supporters of this Podhoretz, granddaddy of the neo-cons. I also wrote Kirk, asking legislation, citing their statements that the crucifix is a symbol of our him to repudiate the plank. heritage. Here’s what the AJC president and executive director had to say “I beg to differ,” Ackerman said. “It is not a collective symbol of our in a letter addressed to the Texas GOP chair and then RNC chair heritage because it is not the symbol of my heritage, though I respect it Ed Gillespie: as a symbol of somebody else's heritage. And if, indeed, the only symbol up there was a statue of Buddha or a Muslim symbol or a “As with the country as a whole, Texas is a highly diverse state Jewish Star of David, I would object as strenuously.” with citizens of every religion, ethnicity and race, and it thrives on both the complexity of its citizenry and the democratic values of But Kirk didn’t object. Just as he has before, he cast his vote on the its political structure. As such, platforms such as the one side of the right-wing extremists who want to force their religious approved at your state convention are troublesome. Political beliefs on the rest of us. He did it last year as well, when he voted in conventions, whether they be Democratic or Republican, should support of the right-wing’s demand to have Congress interfere in the represent the very best of our democratic tradition, which insists Terry Schiavo case because they felt their beliefs mattered more than on inclusiveness and a respect for our Constitution. those of her husband. “As the courts have made clear, even when they disagree as to In a district that does not believe in extremism, Mark Kirk has now cast what separation of church and state may entail, the First at least three votes to please the far-right wing of his Republican Party, Amendment’s twin guarantees of religious freedom and church- and has shown in the process that he is not the moderate Republican state separation ensure that Americans of all faiths and of no that he claims to be, and that he doesn’t represent our beliefs. faith can live as their consciences dictate. We believe that Continued on page 7

6 Proud to be a Good Witch? by Gregory Mysko “Are you a Good Witch or a Bad Witch?” for increased bloodshed in the Middle East. Nuclear bombs for Glenda asked Dorothy after she arrived in Iran to bring on the Rapture! What kind of perverted blend of the Land of Oz. That question has been politics and religion have these Republicans brought us? asked many times by Republicans, albeit Democrats should finally get on the ball when it comes to faith and with a false Christian tone. Dorothy, like spirituality. Senator Barack Obama’s recent speech in Washington a Democrat, replied “Who me? Why, I’m on faith in politics was a call to arms to Democrats. “Our own not any kind of witch at all!” That was a religious faith should not detract from the separation of church bad response since it dodges the issues and state in the political work we do,” he said. Respect should be and by default implies that the Republicans are given to all spiritual paths, not just Christian ones. Since Good Witches. And of course, Democrats are the evil ones. Democrats have shied away from religious discourse, they have There has been black magic emanating out of Washington since suffered. Cheney and Bush took over. So much of the goodness in America Obama said, “But I am hopeful that we can bridge the gaps that has been systematically destroyed by the Republican power exist and overcome the prejudices each of us brings to this structure that brought narrow-minded religion into government, debate. And I have faith that millions of believing Americans want with many toxic manifestations. that to happen. No matter how religious they may or may not be, On Monday, I overheard two Christian men in the café at work people are tired of seeing faith used as a tool of attack.” talking about the Lebanon crisis in the Middle East. “I hope Israel And I think Obama’s sends over some nuclear bombers and drops challenge should especially them on Iran,” one of them said. “Yes!” the be pertinent to those who other one said excitedly. “That should start have a Christian bringing on the End Times, finally.” These two background. It is time for were believers in the Rapture and were progressive Christians who excited with the possibility of the apocalypse do not subscribe to the beginning soon. “I hope Bush doesn’t stand in hateful, venomous their way and lets Israel do what it has to do.” interpretations manifested But reality sometimes sets in. “I just bought a in the Republican Party to new car,” the one guy said. “Maybe it start speaking out on behalf shouldn’t go so fast.” He explained that he of the higher qualities of started dating a woman he likes a lot. “But, their faith. she’s not ready for Rapture,” he said; “she It has been done before. In smokes and drinks.” 2006, it needs to be done I was shocked and appalled, not at the again. This effort needs to woman’s drinking and smoking, but at the fact be inclusive of all spiritual that two grown men who are supporters of backgrounds, including George Bush while professing to be following Jews, Muslims, Buddhists, the Gospels of Jesus Christ, are cheerleaders Hindus and even Wiccans.

GOP Intolerance continued from page 6 respecting these constitutional mandates is the surest way to If this still seems too hypothetical, look at some of the reports of avoid division in our pluralistic society and to assure that the chronic religious harassment at the Air Force Academy. The government favors no particular religion. religious bullies there have a very specific idea of what “It is our hope that the Texas Republican Party will retract this constitutes Christian faith, and it doesn’t even extend across all problematic language from its platform and strive to guarantee Protestant denominations. The Lutheran chaplain blew the that Texas remains a welcome place for people of all religious whistle at the AFA. A lawsuit has been filed by a Jewish cadet’s backgrounds.” father, himself an AFA alumnus. This isn’t some backwater bureau tucked away in the Commerce Department. AFA Neither Gillespie nor the Texas GOP chair bothered to reply to the graduates command one of the largest budgets in the federal AJC. I never heard from Kirk. government and control the most powerful weapons on the The Texas GOP met again a few weeks ago and renewed the planet. “Christian nation” language, while it appears that the better Kirk will undoubtedly speak before many Jewish groups in the tailored among them this year managed to cut the passage months ahead. When the floor opens for questions, ask him denying the Church and State clause. (to get the full flavor, see p. whether he agrees we live in a Christian nation. Of course, if his 8 at [http://www.texasgop.org/site/DocServer/RPTPlatform staff is any good at all, someone is reading this (Hi there; hope 2004.pdf?docID=121] and p. 21 at [http://www.texasgop.org/site/ you’re looking at job opportunities for 2007), and he may have an DocServer/2006_Plat_with_TOC.final.pdf?docID=2042 ] answer prepared. Let’s hear it.

7 The Leader of the Pack Kirk leads in congressional travel, but escapes media focus by Ron Weiner Last month, you may have noticed make those trips. a Chicago Tribune story detailing trips by At the head of the pack was Congressman Mark Kirk, who rang up legislators and/or their staffs that were paid for by “private over 30 percent of that total – $42,443.02, if one counts the small interests.” That called to mind another Trib story from March titled, change. Right behind him was Ray LaHood (R-Peoria) with more “Lobbying scandal grounds jet set,” detailing junkets made by than $23,000 listed as the travel costs of his junkets. Together, “many of Illinois’ congressional representatives and their staffs” at these two Republican congressmen accounted for nearly one-half the expense of private interests. of that $140K spent by Republicans, and if one adds the travel bills That story had an editorial slant that revealed the Tribune’s of their leader, Speaker Dennis Hastert (fifth on the list), the three interpretation of what is fair-and-balanced reporting. Further, it is of them account for more than $85,000 – fully one-third of all of the indicative of its latest editorial tactic which has become more money spent by all of the representatives of both parties. blatantly evident now that the election season is here. As for the photos placed on page 21, the largest was that of It is interesting to find, in the eight column inches of the page one Democrat Jan Schakowsky (two columns wide, mind you), and portion of the March story, the names of three of our state’s more beneath that, small “head shots” of four other congressmen: prominent Democratic representatives, noting that they had been Costello, Gutierrez, Speaker Hastert and “the champ,” Mark Kirk. “heading off to exotic locations at no cost to themselves.” Fair and balanced reporting? Congresswoman Schakowsky is only This was a not very veiled attempt to obfuscate fairness and 12th on the list, yet she was the first representative named in the balance, for it is only after the article is continued a full 20 pages leading paragraphs on page one (she spent about one-fifth of what into Section 1 that there is any mention that more than a few Kirk spent), and yet hers was the featured Republicans representatives have also used private interest photograph on the “jump” page. money for their travels. Gutierrez and Costello – also There on page 21, I found a half-page containing the remainder of Democrats and eighth and 11th on the the story, including five photos and an extremely informative table list? Their names were close behind detailing the numbers of trips and the resultant costs in private hers right up there on page 1. interest dollars spent for those journeys. The table ranked in order Republicans didn’t show up until way of the total spent by each of 19 listed representatives of both back on page 21 (if any reader had gotten parties in the Illinois delegation – 9 Republicans and 10 Democrats that far before pulling out the Sports – all of whom combined to spend almost $245,000 in private section). interest funds. Not surprisingly, six of the first seven listed back Fair and Balanced? The Tribune is showing itself there on page 21 are, wonder of wonders, Republicans. It had cost to be about as “Fair and Balanced” as Fox News. those private interests $140,000 so that they and their staffs could

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